Copeland

http://www.thecopelandsite.com/

Copeland, indie alternative group who’ve already brought soul-searching tracks like “Control Freak” and “Pin Your Wings,” spin their own metaphorical thesis on the classic title track of their fourth studio effort and Tooth & Nail debut You Are My Sunshine.

Formed in 2000 in Lakeland, Florida by vocalist Aaron Marsh, bassist James Likeness, guitarist Bryan Laurenson, and drummer Jon Bucklew, Copeland released their self titled EP (which the group split with Pacifico) in 2001. A year later, Copeland signed with The Militia Group and relocated to Atlanta to begin work on a proper studio effort.

Copeland's debut CD, the emotionally driven punk-pop stylings of 2003's Beneath Medicine Tree was heavily influenced by the extended illness of Aaron Marsh's girlfriend and the death of his grandmother. Extensive tours with The Juliana Theory, Mae, Hopesfall, Switchfoot, and The Early November followed. An EP of cover songs, Know Nothing Stays the Same, was released in August 2004 to maintain Copeland's rising popularity.

In March 2005, Copeland released its highly anticipated sophomore album, In Motion which debuted at number 115 on Billboard's Top 200 album chart within a week of its release. Copeland's third CD, Eat, Sleep, Repeat, fared similarly after its Halloween release in 2006. on, 2007 Copeland released a B-side album entitled Dressed Up & In Line, composed of B-sides, remixes, and a few new songs as well.

You Are My Sunshine, Copeland's first on Tooth & Nail, found Marsh (vocals/guitar/piano), Bryan Laurenson (guitar), and Jon Bucklew (drums) perfecting their well-crafted pop with a cultured edge. Copeland’s emotional candor shifts into a fresh, textured-driven focus for their most confident material to date.

With earnest songs like the jagged guitar layers of “What Do I Know” and the atmospheric splendor “Good Morning Fire Eater,” You Are My Sunshine bursts with that bright hook Copeland has been longing for since they set out to make music eight years ago.

Copeland is at their finest yet with You Are My Sunshine, and it marks a rejuvenated move forward to the next phase of the band. Laurenson says, “It’s the most prepared we’ve ever been. I think in the past we‘d go into the studio and part of songs fell into place with a lot of studio magic. This time, songs dictated themselves and the record turned out exactly how we envisioned it.”

Although stated by some to be a Christian band, Aaron Marsh has said that they are not. "I think that's kind of a defective term," Marsh says. "It's not our nature to have religious connotations. We are not a ministry band. We have some people in the band that are Christian, but that is not the focus of our band" and "We have no agenda in our band other than art."

In late 2009, Copeland announced that they would no longer be continuing as a band. This statement was posted on their Myspace:

Dear friends,
We have come to an extremely difficult decision. It has come time for us to move on from Copeland and follow other paths in our lives. We are absolutely grateful to have been able to make music for as long as we have. In the last 9 years we’ve been able to see parts of the world that we never dreamt we would see. We have shared the stage and built friendships with immensely talented artists. We’ve been afforded the opportunity to make 4 records that we’re extremely proud of. Most of all, we feel honored that people have cared so much for our band and for our art. We appreciate every listener who has allowed our music to be a part of their lives. We want to offer our deepest thanks to every individual who has supported us on this ride. It has profoundly impacted our lives.

To put your minds at ease, we assure you this is not a bitter break up. We all individually feel Copeland has run its course in our lives and it’s time for us to pursue what is next. We couldn’t end things without a proper goodbye, so we are planning a final farewell tour in the US this coming Spring, as well as one final jaunt around the world to some of our favorite countries. We are really excited about seeing you all one more time, and we hope it turns out to be the best Copeland tour ever.

It has been discussed and we are not ruling out the possibility of recording one more album sometime in the future. However, this spring tour will be our last.

From the bottom of hearts, thank you for all of your love and support.
Aaron, Bryan, Jon & Stephen